🎉 About the Festival
What is Creators for Democracy? ↓
Creators for Democracy is a national civic initiative connecting creators of all kinds — podcasters, newsletter writers, TikTokers, food writers, musicians, comedians, fitness creators, fashion storytellers, community organizers, and more — with public libraries as civic infrastructure. The inaugural Civic Festival is July 1–2, 2026 at MLK Library in Washington, DC.
Who is this for? ↓
Everyone. The festival is free and open to all. If you make things, love things made by your community, care about where we're headed as a country, or just want to spend two days in one of DC's great buildings listening to some of the city's most interesting people — this is for you.
Is this a political event? ↓
Creators for Democracy is not issue-specific or party-affiliated. We are not organized around any particular cause, candidate, or policy position. We are organized around a belief: that civic life is richer, more resilient, and more joyful when more people feel invited into it.
When and where is the festival? ↓
The Creators for Democracy Civic Festival takes place July 1–2, 2026 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC. Evening programming runs 5–9 PM each day. The event is free and open to the public.
Is this only in DC? ↓
The inaugural festival is in Washington, DC on July 1–2, 2026. A ten-city expansion is in development in partnership with additional library systems and cultural institutions across the country. Join the list at creatorsfordemocracy.org to follow announcements on upcoming civic festivals.
📚 The Library & Partnerships
What is MLK Library's role? ↓
DC Public Library are co-presenting partners and essential collaborators in this work. Our host venue is the MLK Library, which holds some of the country's most remarkable civic archives: the Go-Go Archive, the DC Oral History Collaborative, the DC Punk Archive, the Washingtoniana Collection, and the Black Studies Collection. Creators have connection to these collections and these stories are part of the programming, not a backdrop to it.
Who is behind Creators for Democracy? ↓
Creators for Democracy is a project of Democracy Well, a nonprofit initiative to resource leaders pouring into our democracy. The civic festival is presented by Bold Impact and DC Public Library.
How can my organization get involved? ↓
Reach out at
hello@creatorsfordemocracy.org. We are building a small number of meaningful partnerships, not a long sponsor list. If your organization's values align with civic imagination, creator economy investment, and public library infrastructure, we'd like to hear from you.
🤝 Festival Ambassadors
What is a Festival Ambassador? ↓
Festival Ambassadors are community members who help bring Creators for Democracy to life — spreading the word, welcoming people in, and showing up to support the event. It is a volunteer role with a real community attached to it.
What does being an Ambassador involve? ↓
Ambassadors share the festival with their networks authentically, attend at least one day of the Civic Festival (July 1 or 2) and complete a brief virtual orientation. In return, Ambassadors receive priority access, a Creators for Democracy creator kit, early information about future city launches, and connection to the national Ambassador community.
How do I sign up as a Festival Ambassador? ↓